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Randomized controlled trial of parental responsiveness intervention for toddlers at high risk for autism

Connie Kasari1, Michael Siller2, Linh N Huynh1

  • 1University of California, Los Angeles, United States.

Infant Behavior & Development
|September 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

A parent-mediated intervention improved parental responsiveness in toddlers at high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, effects on child outcomes were not significant, and responsiveness gains were not fully maintained long-term.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Early identification and intervention are crucial for toddlers at high risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Parental responsiveness is a key factor in early child development and may be a modifiable target for intervention.
  • Existing research highlights the association between parental responsiveness and child outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a parent-mediated intervention designed to enhance parental responsiveness in toddlers at high risk for ASD.
  • To assess the impact of the intervention on child outcomes, including joint attention and language development.
  • To examine the maintenance of treatment effects on parental responsiveness and child outcomes over time.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 66 toddlers at high risk for ASD and their caregivers.
  • Caregivers were assigned to either an individualized parent education intervention (12 sessions) or a behavioral support control group (4 sessions).
  • Parental responsiveness and child outcomes (joint attention, language, cognition) were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 12-month follow-up.

Main Results:

  • The parent-mediated intervention significantly improved parental responsiveness compared to the control group.
  • Improvements in parental responsiveness were not fully maintained at the 12-month follow-up.
  • No significant treatment effects were observed on child outcomes of joint attention or language; however, children in both groups showed developmental gains in cognition and language.

Conclusions:

  • Parental responsiveness is a viable intervention target for toddlers at high risk for ASD.
  • While the intervention effectively improved parental responsiveness, sustained effects and broader impacts on child outcomes require further investigation.
  • Additional strategies may be necessary to maintain intervention effects and influence child developmental trajectories in ASD.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderEarly interventionHigh risk infantsParental responsiveness

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